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Chemical peels are at the top of my list of favorite skin treatments. They are quick treatments that produce amazing results fast. They provide a deep exfoliation and speed up the cell turnover rate. Peels have so many great benefits. They can treat acne, hyperpigmentation, reduce acne scars, and treat fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels vary in strength and active ingredients so even someone with sensitive skin can use chemical peels.

There are three levels of chemical peels: light, medium, and deep. The pH level of a peel is what determines how deep it will penetrate into the skin. The lower the pH, the deeper the peel; the higher the pH, the lighter the peel.

Light peels only remove the first layer of the skin and they are good for treating mild acne scars, fine lines, sun damage, or if you have sensitive skin. Light peels are typically made with AHAs, BHAs, and fruit enzymes. Almost no recovery time is required.

Medium peels are usually made with trichloroacetic acid. They can be used to treat pigmentation and wrinkles. Recovery time is about a week.

Deep peels are usually made with carbolic acid and higher doses of trichloroacetic acid. They are good for treating scarring, pigmentation, wrinkles, and sun damage but on a much deeper level. Recovery time can take months.

Peels are best for light-skinned people who are not prone to hyperpigmentation. If you have darker skin and are prone to hyperpigmentation and do decide to get a chemical peel anyway, just be sure to use a lightening cream for post-treatment care and always wear sunscreen when going out. Some lightening ingredients to look for are hydroquinone, kojic acid, glutathione, mulberry, and papaya, to name a few.

Consult with your esthetician or a dermatologist to determine which peels are best for your skin.

Light therapy, or LED therapy, comes with many benefits for the skin and are great additions to skin care regimens. LED therapy uses light energy to penetrate through to the deeper layers of the skin. It stimulates collagen production, boosts cellular metabolism, and can speed up cell repair.

There are different colored lights, each with their own specific function for the skin:

Red light therapy is great for treating both acne and wrinkles. It stimulates the fibroblasts to produce more collagen, which, in turn, plumps up the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It also reduces inflammation, boosts circulation in the skin, and controls sebum production.

Blue light therapy is used specifically for acne. The wavelengths of blue light kill the main acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes.

Green light therapy is used to treat hyperpigmentation by reducing the overproduction of melanin.

Amber light therapy is used to treat redness and dilated capillaries but doesn’t penetrate as deep as the other colors, so is best if used in conjunction with other LED light colors.

The different LED colors can be used together in one treatment to treat multiple skin issues. They are, of course, best when used in conjunction with serums and creams to further treat the skin.

You can get light therapy treatment done at a spa, a dermatologist’s office, or through a personal handheld device to use at home. The LEDs on a personal device don’t tend to be as strong as those used professionally but are a more affordable option for more than occasional use.

Herbal medicines are natural, plant-derived treatments used for both internal and external health issues. One of the most common of these medicines is a succulent plant called aloe vera. Because it is so versatile, aloe vera is used by the cosmetic, medicine, and even food industries.

Aloe vera has many healing properties—soothing, cooling, and moisturizing. That’s why aloe vera is frequently topically applied to wounded areas including a sunburn, a sore, or a cut. Also, due to its moisturizing benefits, aloe vera is a common ingredient in cosmetics. Its moisturizing emollient effects aid in many products including soap, shampoo, and moisturizers.

With the sun becoming more present every day, sunburn is a high health risk for many people. Here is a sunburn repairing recipe that will cool any irritation on the skin as well as aid in healing:

120 milliliters aloe vera gel (either store bought or from plant)

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

10 drops of pure lavender essential oil

5 drops of pure peppermint essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a clean bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a sealable container and store it in the fridge. The gel mixture may oxidize quickly, so use as soon as possible.

Vitamin E is an effective moisturizer and can neutralize free radical damage. Lavender is calming and antibacterial. Peppermint is cooling and antibacterial.

Products encapsulated in tiny nanosomes can more easily penetrate deeply into the skin.

Many of us have heard of incorporating serums into our skin care regimens and some of us already have. Serums are a crucial step in taking care of our skin. They have a more highly concentrated blend of active ingredients than, say, a moisturizer. Serums have smaller molecules that absorb into the skin quickly. However, just like with most skin care products, serums are water-based, while our skin is oil loving. So, most of the time, the product sits on top of our skin and doesn’t penetrate much deeper.

What can you do to get your skin to absorb more of the ingredients and reap the benefits from your serum?

You could use a dermaroller before applying serum, but that’s not something your skin would be able to take every day. You could also use an ultrasound device to help penetrate the product deeper into the skin, but maybe you don’t want to have to purchase another tool.

Both of those methods are great but the easier way is by using a serum with nanosomes—which may also be called microspheres or nanospheres.

Nanosomes, made from phospholipids by using nano-technology techniques, are extremely small single or double bilayer liposomes. They encapsulate active ingredients; and, due to their tiny size, can penetrate skin to deliver products much deeper. Nanosomes aren’t just in serums either, they can also be found in sunscreens and moisturizers. When searching for products with nanosomes, it will always say on the bottle that it contains them.

Living in the Philippines, coconuts were plentiful and not really out of the ordinary. We drank the milk and ate the meat: we drank coconut water straight from the young coconuts, most of our desserts had coconut. The women in my family used the oil as a hair treatment. Even so, I didn’t realize all of the health benefits one can get from a coconut until the coconut craze began a few years ago here on the western part of the world. Now, I’m seeing many different brands of coconut water, and reading all these articles about coconut oil. It seems that the world has discovered coconuts.

Coconuts are a great source of antioxidants and they have antibacterial properties. They can fight infections, lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss, and support the development of strong bones. And these are only a few of their many wonderful benefits.

Coconut water is one of the more popular coconut products. It’s a refreshing drink that contains electrolytes. When purchasing coconut water, make sure it comes from organic young coconuts, is not heat pasteurized, and does not come from concentrate. My favorite brand is Harmless Harvest.

Coconut oil is another great way to enjoy the benefits of coconuts. It can be used for cooking, removing makeup, and as a moisturizer. There is still ongoing debate about whether it is good or bad for consumption due to the amount of saturated fat it contains. Look for an organic brand.

Coconut flour is also available and is a great substitute for regular flour for those with a gluten intolerance and is also a good source of fiber.

If you follow fashion week beauty or even some beauty vloggers, you may have heard of micellar water. Bioderma is the most well known brand. I first read about it years ago when it was only available in Europe. But as soon as I got my hands on a bottle, I wondered how I had ever lived without it.

Micellar water is made up of micelles—tiny oil droplets suspended in water. They get rid of makeup, oil, and dirt from your skin with no need for rinsing. It doesn’t leave an oily residue on your skin nor does it dry it out. It’s also gentle enough to use as an eye makeup remover. Micellar water is great for sensitive skin types since it is formulated without harsh chemicals and soaps. However, if you are wearing heavy makeup, you’ll still need to wash your face or use makeup wipes in addition to micellar water.

I like to use it at night after washing my face for gentle, extra cleansing. It gets the traces of makeup that my cleanser may not have removed. I also use it as a substitute for washing my face in the morning, as I believe in a more gentle morning routine for skin.

It’s great a substitute for toner to freshen up and cleanse your skin without irritation while traveling.

Micellar water is no longer hard to find. As it has risen in popularity, many American cosmetic companies have released their own micellar waters.

Many of us have been conditioned to be afraid of using or having oil on our skin. A visit to a store’s skin care section bombards you with oil-free products to treat acneic skin types. Many of these products strip skin of their natural oils. This can create problems for the acid mantle, which in turn, causes our skin to produce more oil to balance the natural lipid layer of the skin.

Contrary to popular belief, oil dissolves oil. Oil cleansing can be greatly beneficial to acneic skin types and can be moisturizing for drier skin types. For oily skin, try cleansing with a three parts mixture of castor oil to seven parts of sunflower seed oil. For dryer skin types, vary the proportions two parts to eight.

Castor oil is quite drying, so you want to make sure you mix it with a nurturing oil for the skin. Sunflower oil is best, but it can be replaced with any type of vegetable oil.

Massage the mixture into your skin for a few minutes, focusing on the more congested areas of your face, and gently remove with a hot, wet washcloth. Use hot running water to clean the washcloth, and again gently remove any additional residue on the skin. When massaging the face, it is best to work in upward motions.

Some other good oils to try are flaxseed oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, to name a few. Each oil has its own benefits and can be mixed in combinations for added benefits.

Yoga is a practice that is full of spiritual and physical techniques to connect the mind, body, and soul as one. Expected outcomes of yoga include ease of understanding, total relaxation, and even enlightenment. Full of both physical and psychological benefits, it is no surprise that yoga is done around the world; from serious, traditional classes in the heart of India, to the body-toning hot yoga class down the street.

While there are many different kinds, a form of yoga that has not gained much attention is a frontal muscle workout that goes by the name of “face yoga.” Face yoga refers to the exercising of the muscles in the face, and can be done to tighten, tone, and combat signs of aging.

How does it work? Well, the muscles’ movement increases blood circulation in the face, allowing more oxygen to pass through and replenish cells in the area. The techniques can also aid in the production of collagen and elastin, resulting in supple and smooth skin.

Some of the facial moves look odd as they include widening the eyes and sticking out your tongue. However the exercises are performed, here is a video that includes some methods you can try out.

Practicing face yoga for only five minutes everyday can bring great results in reducing signs of aging. Results can be noticed in as little as two weeks and, over time, the look of visible wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin can be reversed.

Turmeric is a spice that has been used in India for a long time. It is what gives curry and mustard their yellow color. Not only is it used for food, but also as a medicinal herb. The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which is an antioxidant. Curcumin has anti inflammatory effects and fights free radicals in the body. It also increases the antioxidants in the body. Curcumin is more easily absorbed into the body with the aid of piperine in black pepper. There have been studies showing that turmeric can prevent or delay arthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

There are many ways to incorporate turmeric into your diet—of course, the easiest way is to sprinkle some on your food. My favorite way to take turmeric is by making Golden Milk. It is a drink made with any warm milk that you like, turmeric paste, black pepper, and an oil of your choosing. This is a great drink to have before bed due to its relaxing and immune boosting properties.

Turmeric Paste

½ cup turmeric powder

1 cup water

1½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Cook turmeric powder and water together over low heat, constantly stirring until a thick paste has formed. More water may be needed. Add black pepper, stir to incorporate. Allow to cool, then store in a glass jar.

Remember that turmeric stains, so avoid plastic containers.

Paste is best for 2-3 weeks.

Golden Milk

¼ teaspoon turmeric paste

1 cup almond milk, soy, coconut, or hemp milk, or a combination

1 teaspoon Udo’s or coconut oil

Honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup

Cook all the ingredients, except the honey or syrup, together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the ingredients are mixed well, do not boil. Add honey or syrup to taste and enjoy!

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The opinions expressed in each of these blog posts are those of its author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Cinta Aveda Institute, its principals, administrators, contractors, faculty, or students.

No representations of accuracy are made by the Institute as to any of the posts on this blog. The instructions and advice found here comes without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. Consult with your own medical professional before taking advice or using a product that could affect your health.

Links to external resources or references to the products and services of others do not constitute an endorsement of the site, services, products, or content found therein. Beauty products and techniques may have results that vary from person to person. Any use of the information found on this blog is entirely at your own risk.